Nimbus 4 cylinders, 750 cc (1952).
The Nimbus was a Danish motorcycle produced from 1919 to 1960 by Fisker and Nielsen of Copenhagen, Denmark, also manufacturers of “Nilfisk” brand vacuum cleaners (now Nilfisk). Two basic models were produced, both with a 750 cc four-cylinder engine.
In partnership with H.M. Nielsen, Peder Andersen Fisker produced electric motors and, from around 1910, the first vacuum cleaners in Europe. Fisker believed he could develop a motorcycle that had its own form, and in late 1918 decided to construct a prototype to his own design.
The first Nimbus motorcycle had a four-cylinder inline engine of 746 cc (45.5 cu in) capacity, which drove the rear wheel through a shaft drive rather than the chain usually used at that time, and a power output of approximately 10 hp.
Its top speed was around 85 km/h (53 mph) with a sidecar fitted. It had both front and rear wheel suspension, and soon acquired the nickname of Kakkelovnsrør (“Stovepipe”) due to the thick, round pipe between the saddle and handlebars which as well as forming part of the bike’s chassis contained the petrol tank. Two more machines were constructed in 1919, but mass production did not begin until ‘Fisker & Nielsen’ became a limited liability company in 1920.
Moto Bassella museum, Catalonia, Pyrenees, Spain
